Pressure head for oil wells



' E.l A. JOHNSON PRESSURE'HEAD FOR IL WELLS ffm' MVS Reissued Sept. 7,1,937

Re. 20,497 .o

PRESSURE HEAD FOR OIL WELLS Edwin A. Johnson, Houston, Tex., assigner,by

mesne assignments, to Hinderliter Tool Company, Tulsa, Okla., acorporation o! Oklahoma Original No. 2,001,684, dated May 14, 1935,Serial No. 460,855, June 13, 1930. Renewed August 5, 1931. Applicationfor reissue May 13, 1937, Se-

rial No. 142,404

39 Claims.

My invention relates to lan attachment for csing heads employed in oilwell operations.

The object of the' invention is to provide a. means to seal the spaceinside the casing head and between the same and a pipe concentrictherewith, such as the drill-stem employed in drilling or the tubingemployed in pumping operations.

-In the handling of oil wells, either in drilling or pumping, where gaspressures are present in the well, provision must be made forpreventingV the gas from blowing out of the casing and wasting the oilor gas and damaging the apparatus.

An object of my invention is to provide a particular construction ofpressurehead to be placed within the casing head and to form aneffective seal under high pressure. I desire so to form thesealing'device that it will be rendered effective through the pressureof the fluid in the well.

I also desire so to form the sealing device that the weight of the pipewithin the casing may be employed in compressing the packing moreeffectively.

I also have as an object so to construct my pressure head that pipe maybe introduced into the well but its removal from the well under pressurewill be prevented. i

This invention is an improvement upon the structure shown in mycopending application for patent, Serial No. 432,050, led February V28,1930.

Referring to the drawing herewith,

Figure 1 is a side view partly in elevation and partly in sectionillustrating a casing head equipped with my invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective detail illustrating the packing memberemployed with my device.

Figure 3 is a transverse section on the plane 3-3 of Figure 1.

I have shown my device as employed upon a casing head I having the usuallateral outlets 2. The upper end of thel casing head is threadedexternally at 3 for attachment to-a clamping ring 4; The interior of theupper end may be provided with a downwardly tapered seat V5to receivethe pressure head.

The clamping ring 4 has its upper end reduced somewhat in diameter andthreaded at B for attachment to any extension which may be desiredthereon. The interior face of the clamping ring is toothed at 1 withdownwardly inclined ratchet teeth to cooperate with the latching dogs 8upon the pressure head.

The pressure head is made up of an upper plate or ring 9, which ispreferably of Steel, a

packing member, and a lower plate or ring. Its upper end is providedwith an upwardly extending flange I0'to form a support for the bushingor slip bowl I I. The lower side of the ring is slightly tapered and isformed with a downwardly ex- -tending flange I2 adjacent the outermargin to engage over the upper end I3 of the packing member I4. 'Ihering 9 has on its outer face a radial recess I5 in which the latchingdogs I6 are housed. As will be seen from Figure 3, said latching dogsare arcuate in shape and are held within the recesses I5 by pins I1.Said pins iit within radial slots I8 in the dogs, allowing said dogs alimited ,radial movement, as will be clear from the drawing. Springs I9housed within the inner sides of the dogs and bearing against the innerwall of the recesses tend to hold said latching dogs resilientlyoutwardly. The outer faces of the dogs are formed with teeth 20 adaptedto engage within the teeth 1 of the clamping ring.

The lower ring 2| is of smaller diameter, its upper end beingcylindrical and flanged at 22 to engage about the lower end of thepacking member I4. Adjacent the lower end it is tapered at 23 to engagethe seat 5.

Provided on the lower ring 2l are a series of dogs 24 pivoted uponhorizontally extending pins 25 in the ring and adapted to have a limitedrotative movement thereon. The outer end of each dog has an uppershoulder 26, which may contact with a spring 21, which tends to limitthe upward movement of the shoulder 26 and to move the dog intohorizontal position. The inner limits the upward,l movement of the pipe.The upper side of the ldog contacts with a -shoulder 3l, which limitsitsupward movement to the horizontal position shown in Figure 1.

The lower ring and the upper ring are adapted to clamp between them thepacking member I4 which may be of rubber or any similar compressiblematerial forming-the sealing member of my pressure head. ThisV packingmember or gasket I4 may be tapered downwardly at 32 on its outer face tot the seat 5. Bolts or pins 33 extending throughthe lower ring andupwardly through the gasket are screwed within the upper ring 9, thusholding the ring against the gasket at each end. and it be observed thatthe lower ring may move slidably upward along the bolts 33 when pressureis exerted thereon. The positioning of these bolts 33 may be reversed ifdesired. The packing gasket I4 is formed on its inner face with undercutrecesses 35. I have shown three such recesses, the object of which is toprovide downwardly directed lips 36, which may be compressed against thepipe 30 and form a seal therewith. The lips thus formed tend to becompressed against the pipe by the escape of pressure fluid from belowinto the pockets or recesses 35 on the inner face of the gasket.

The pressure head including the upper and lower ring with the gasketbetween them are longitudinally divided so as to be quickly engagedabout the pipe 30 when desired. With attention to Figure 3, it will beseen that the pressure head is divided along the line 31. On one side ofthe bushing is a hinge member 38 which is made up of a link pivotallyconnected at 38 to each of the halves of the pressure head. On thelopposite side of the pressure head is a latch 4U, which is pivoted at4| to one half and has a catch 42 engaging about a pin 43 on theadjacent half of the bushing. It will be obvious that my device maybeswung open and latched quickly about the pipe and moved downwardly intothe tapered seat 5, the latching dogs I6 automatically engaging in theclamping ring to prevent removal of the device.

The rubber gasket I4 is formed in two halves to allow for thelongitudinal splitting of the bushing. As will be seen from Figure 2, awall 44 is provided adjacent the line of division to prevent escape ofthe pressure fluid along this division line. It should be noted that therings 9 and 2| have openings therein of suiiicient diameter to pass acoupling or tool joint such as 29 is desired, so that the drill pipe ortubingy adapter Il is a hinged ring adapted to latch`y about the pipeand has an inwardly-tapered seat 46 to receive the jaws 45. The lowerend of the ring is supported as previously noted uponv the,

ange I0 of the upper ring.

The advantages of my device lie in the fact that the device may beinserted in position for use quickly and latched in sealing engagementwith little difficulty or delay. 'I'he device is adapted to seal moreeffectively through pressure on either the upper or lower plate, andwhere pressure iiuid from below tends to escape past the device, itcompresses the lips 3B more rmly against the pipe and prevents escape offluid.

The further objects and advantages of the device will be obvious tothose Vskilled in the art.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details ofconstruction may be varied through a wide range without departing fromthe principles of this invention, and I, therefore, do not purposelimiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by theprior art.

I claim as my invention: f

1. A pressure head for wells including a `well casing, a casing headthereon having a downwardly tapered seat, a packing member thereinadapted to t said seat and seal about an inner pipe, said memberincluding upper and lower rings having openings suiciently large topermit the -passage of a pipe coupling, a rubber gasket passage of apipe coupling, a rubber gasket between said rings, said gasket havingannular undercut recesses on its inner surface to provide downwardlycurved lips to engage said pipe, means to secure said rings to saidgasket, and means to hold said packing member in said seat.

3. A pressure head for wells including a well casing, a casing headthereon having a seat, a packing member therein adapted to lt said seatand seal about an inner pipe, said member including upper and lowerrings of suiiicient diameter to permit the passage of a pipe couplingtherethrough, a rubber gasket between said rings, said gasket havingannular undercut recesses on its inner surface to provide downwardlycurved lips to engage said pipe, andrneans to secure said rings to saidgasket, said rings and gasket being split longitudinally and hingedtogether in the manner stated.

4. A pressure head for wells including a well casing, a casing headthereon having a downwardly tapered seat, a ,packing member thereinadapted to fit said seat and seal about an inner pipe, said memberincluding upper and lower 5. A device to close 'the space between a wellcasing and an inner concentric pipe including a casing head having aseat, a. clamping ring on said casing head, a packing member comprisingupper and lower rings having inner openings of suicient size toaccommodate pipe couplings, a packing gasket between said rings, saidgasket and lower ring being shaped to t said seat, and

downwardly extending lips on the inner surface of said gasket to engagesaid pipe andform a seal therewith.

6. A device to close the space between a well casing and an innerconcentric pipe including a casing head having a downwardly taperedseat, a clamping ring on said casing head, a packing member comprisingupper and lower rings sumciently large to permit the passage of a pipecoupling therethrough, a packing gasket between said rings, said gasketand lower ring being shaped to t said seat, and downwardly extending'.lips on the inner surface of said gasket to engagesaid pipe and form aseal therewith and means Clamping ring on said casing head, a packing.

member comprising upper and lower rings each s ufliciently large topermit the passage of a pipe said rings, said gasket and lower ringbeing shaped to t said seat, downwardly extending lips on said gasket toengage said pipe, said lips having fluid receiving chambers below' themto aid them to form a seal with said pipe, means supported on saidpacking member to engage and support said pipe, the weight of the pipethereby forcing said packing member into said seat, and means on saidmember engaging said clamping ring to hold said member from upwardmovement in said seat.

8. A device to close the space between a well casing `and an innerconcentric pipeincluding a said casing head, a packing member comprisingupper and lower rings each suiciently large to permit the passage of apipe coupling theregasket and lower ring being shaped to iit said seat,downwardly extending lips on the interior face of said gasket to engagesaid pipe and to be compressed by the iluid pressure and form a sealtherewith, and means to preventl upward movement of pipe couplingsthrough said mem- 4 ber.

9. A device of the character described including a well casing, a casinghead thereon having 4a downwardly tapered seat thereon, an innerconcentric pipe, a packing member including upper and lower rings, apacking gasket between said rings shaped to engage said seat, and a dogon said lower ring pivoted to allow downward movement of pipe couplingstherethrough but to prevent the upward movement of said couplings.

10. A device of the character described including a well casing, acasing head thereon having a seat thereon, an inner concentric pipe, apacking member including upper and lower rings, a packing gasket betweensaid rings shaped to engage said seat, means on said upper ring to latchsaid member in said seat, and a dog on said lower ring pivoted to allowdownward movement of pipe couplings therethrough but to prevent theupward movement of said couplings.

11. Adevice of the character described including a well casing, a casinghead thereon having a downwardly vtapered seat thereon, an innerconcentric pipe, a packing member including upper and lower rings, apacking gasket between said rings shaped to engage said seat, downwardlyextending lips on said gasket to engage said pipe, and a dog on saidlower ring pivoted to allow downward movement of pipe couplingstherethrough but to -prevent the upward movement of said couplings.

12. A casing head having a removable unit adapted tok seal about a pipepassing therethrough, said unit includingVV a packing element, flexiblemeans thereon to seal about the pipe, said Ilexible` unit being of suchdiameter that a coupling may pass therethrough, a downwardly directedlip on said flexible means to form a seal and means on said unitv toapply the weight of the string of pipe to compress the packing element.

13. A casing head adapted to seal about a pipe passing therethroughincluding a packing element adapted to pass a pipe coupling, exiblemeans thereon to seal about the pipe, means to apply the weight of thestring of pipe to compress the'packing element, and additional means tostop the upward movement of a collar on the inner pipe when it reachessaid element.

14. In combination with a casing head, a sealing unit adapted to bedropped into position in coupling therethrough, a packing gasketbetween` casing head having a seat, a clamping ring on through, apackinggasket between said rings,'said said casing head, automatic latch meansto catch said unit and hold it in said casing head, and a. slip bowladapted to be passed around a pipe in the casing head and to thereafterseat on said sealing unit.

15. In combination with a casing head, a sealing unit adapted to bedropped into position in said casing head, automatic latch means tocatch said unit and hold it in said casing head, and a slip bowl adaptedto be passed around a pipe in the casing head and to thereafter seat onsaid sealing unit, whereby slips may be positioned in ,said bowl andsupport the pipe in the casing.

16. In combination with a casing head, a sealing unit adapted Yto bedropped into position in said casing head, automatic latch means tocatch said unit and hold it in said casing head, and a slip bowl adaptedto-be passed around a pipe in the casing head and thereafter to seat onsaid sealing unit whereby slips may be positioned in said bowl andsupport the pipe in the casing, and thus apply the weight of the pipe tosaid sealing unit.

17. A casing head adapted to seal about a pipe passing therethroughincluding a tapered seat, a packing element, flexible sealing meansthereon, a downwardly directed lip on the inner face ofy said means tnengage and seal about the pipe, said element being of suiiicient sizeand said lip being sufficiently displaceable to permit the passagetherethrough of a pipe coupling, means to engage said pipe and supportthe weight of said pipe to compress said packing element by the weightof the pipe, and means to hold said packing to withstand a predeterminedpressure.

18. In a casing head, a vertically disposed extension thereon forsurrounding a pipe passing therethrough, supporting means in saidextension, a packing assembly on said supporting means, said packingassembly comprising an annular resilient packing element disposed forengageme'nt with the pipe and including a depending skirt portion on itsinner edge, and means for urging downwardly on said packing assembly todepress the same and form a high pressure seal between the pipe and saidextension.

19. In a casing head, a vertically disposed extension thereon forsurrounding a pipe passing therethrough, supporting means in saidextension,

a packing assembly on said supporting means, said packing assemblycomprising an annular packing element disposed to surround the pipe, andincluding a ilexible depending flange on the inner edge for engagementwith the pipe, and means for urging downwardly on said packing assemblyto depress the same and form a high pressure seal between the pipe andsaid extension.

20. In a casing head, a vertically disposed extension thereon forsurrounding a pipe passing therethrough, supporting means in saidextension, a packing assembly on said supporting means, said packingassembly comprising an annular packing element disposed to surround thepipe, said element having a groove in its lower edge providing anannular pocket spaced fromv the inner edge, and a depending ange on theinner edge of said packing element to increase the `pressure resistanceof the packing, and means for urging downwardly on said packing assemblyto depress the same and form a high pressure seal between the pipe andsaid extension.

21. In a casing head, a vertically disposed extension thereon -forsurrounding a pipe passing therethrough, supporting means in saidextension, a packing assembly on said supporting means, said packingassembly comprising a packingy element with its outer edge engaging theinnersurface of said extension, said extension having its inner surfacetapered upwardly and outwardly away from said packing element, and

means for urging downwardly on `said packing element to depress the sameand to form a high pressure seal between the pipe and said extension.

22. ,In a casing head, a vertically disposed extension thereonforsurrounding a pipe passing therethrough, supporting means on saidextension, i a packing assembly on said supporting means, and meanssupported by said packing assembly adapted to hold the weight of thepipe for compressing the packing andi forming a high pressure seal, saidpacking assembly comprising an annular resilient packing elementdisposed for engagement with the pipe and including a A depending skirtportion on its lower edge.

the pipe, and including a flexible depending iiange on theinner edge forengagement with the pipe.

24. In a casing head, sealing means for disposition around pipeextending through said casing head and comprising a ring having itsinternal surface radially urged into engagement with said pipe andformed hollow to yield internally and radially from and toward the pipeas the pipe and its couplings are passed through the casing head so asto maintain continuously a fluidtight seal about the pipe, and means forexerting a downward 'pressure on said sealing means to force it intoeffective sealing position.

25. In a casing head, a blowout preventer comprising an annular -packersleeve for disposition around and in sealing engagement with pipeextending through the head and having upper and lower edges spaced fromthe pipe and held in relatively -xed positions, said sleev'e having anannular inner projection for sealing contact with the pipe and whichproiectionis offset down- `wardly relative to said edges so as toprovide an which have opposite annular pockets for receiving and holdingsaid upper and lower edges of the sleeve in relatively fixed positions,said sleeve having an inner and downwardly projecting annular portionfor contacting said pipe and which portion is offset downwardly relativeto said `edges of `said ring for enhancing the sealing effect of thepacker sleeve when in use. y

2'7. In a casing head, sealing means comprising an annular packingsleeve for disposition around and in sealing engagement .with pipeextending through the head and having upper and lower spaced annularflanges and an intermediate annular extension projecting from betweenysaid flanges and offset downwardly for contact with the'pipe, andmeans, one of which is adjustable, for accommodating and holding saidannular flanges in properly spaced position in the casing head.

28. In a casing head, a sealing means comprising a packer ring fordisposition around pipe extending through said head and having an innerunbroken cylindrical surface radially urged into engagement withsaidpipe and formed to yield radially from and toward the pipe as the pipeand its couplings are passed through the casing head into effectivesealing position to maintain continuously a fluidtight seal about thepipe, and means for subjecting the ring to endwise compressive force fordeiiecting the ring laterally into said effective sealing position.

' 29. In a casing head, a sealing means comprising a packer ring fordisposition around pipe extending through said head and having an innerunbroken cylindrical surface radially urged into engagement with saidpipe and formed to yield radially from and toward the pipe as the pipeand its couplings are passed through the casing head into eifectivesealing position to maintain continuously a fiuidtight seal abouti thepipe, an adapter ring in said head above ysaid sealing means formed toaccommodate slips for anchoring the pipe to said head, and means forsubjecting the p-acker ring to an endwise compressive force to deflectthe ring laterally into said effective sealing position.

30. In a casing head structure, a flexible packing element arrangedl'toeffect a seal about a pipe l passing therethrough and being of suflicentsize to permit the passage therethrough of a pipe coupling, "adownwardly directed lip on said element to engage4 the pipe, andsupporting means for a string of pipe arranged to transfer a subi 31. Inak casing head structure, a flexible packer f element foreffecting aseal about a pipe extending therethrough, means providing a seat forsaid element, said element being so formed as to be displaceablesufficiently to permit the passage of a pipe coupling therethrough, andsupporting means for a string of pipe arranged to transfer a substantialpart of the Weight of such a string of pipe onto said element to distortthe element Yinto sealing engagement with the pipe.

32. In a ca sing head structure, a hinged packer unit, latch means tohold said unit about a pipe extending therethrough, said unit being ofsufficient diameter to permit the passage of a pipe couplingtherethrough, a flexible packer element included in said unit and formedto provide sufficient distortion to .permit the passage therethrough ofa pipe. coupling with said latch means closed, andsupporting meansarranged to hold a string of pipe and transfer a substantial part of theweight of the pipe string onto said element to distort the same intosealing engagement with the pipe.

33. In a casing head structure, a flexible packer element foreffecting aseal about a pipe extending therethrough, means providing a seat forsaid element, said element being so formed as to be displaceablesumciently to permit the passage of a pipe coupling therethrough,supporting means for a string of pipe arranged to transfer a substantialpart of the weight of such a string of pipe onto said element to distortthe element into sealing engagement with the pipe, and relatively rigidreinforcing means in said element disposed so as not to interfere withsuicient distortion of said element to permit the passage of a pipecoupling. f

34. In a Well pipe head, sealing means for disposition around pipeextending through said Well pipe head and comprising a ring having itsinternal surface radially urged into engagement with said pipe andformed hollow to` yield internally and radially from and toward the pipeso as to maintain continuously a fluidtight seal about the pipe, andmeans for exerting an endwise pressure on said sealing means to force itinto eiective sealing position and spaced from said pipe to l allowexterior pipe couplings to pass through said means.

35. In a well pipe head, sealing means for dispipe head and comprising aring having its internal surface radially urged into engagement withsaid pipe and formed hollow to yield internallyand radially from andtoward the pipe so as to maintain continuously a fluidtight seal aboutthe pipe, and means for exerting an endwise pressure on said sealingmeans to 4forceiit into effective sealing position and spaced from saidpipe to allow exterior'` pipe couplings 'to pass through said means,said ring having a pressure responsive depending lip for sealingengagement with pipe extending therethrough.

36. In a well pipe head, a seat for sealing means, sealing means on saidseat for disposition around pipe extending through said Well pipe headand comprising `a ring having its internal y surface radially urged intoengagement with said pipe and formed hollow to yield internally andradi'- ally from and toward the pipe so 'as to maintain continuously auidtight seal about the pipe, and means for exerting an end/wisepressure on said sealingmeans to force it into effective sealingextending bolt-like element having one 4end anchored to said ring andhaving its other end secured to a member associated with an end of thering, so that said ring is tied to said member,

position around pipe extending through said well position, said sealingmeans includinga verticallyV said ring including an outer annularsubstantially solid portion confined tightly in position by said boltelement for sealing engagement with said seat.

3'?. Ina pipe head for wells, a resilient packing of annular formationhaving a central pipe-engaging surface deectable to permit pipecouplings to pass therethrough While still maintaining a seal about thepipe, a rigid member asociated with one end of the packing, and afastening element having a shank projecting out of and fastened to saidpacking for tying said packing to said member, said packing including adepending lip responsive to fluid pressure for aiding in maintaining aseal about the pipe extending through the packing.

38. In a pipe head for wells, a packing seat, a rubber packing ofannular configuration disposed inside said seat and having a centralpipeengaging surface delectable about and into sealing engagement withthe surface of pipe extending therethrough, bolt means projecting fromsaid packing, and a member to which said packing is secured by said boltmeans, said packing including a depending pressure responsive lip forengagement with the pipe extending therethrough and an exterior solidportion held tightly against said seat by said bolt means, said memberbeing formed to be spaced from vthe pipe to allow pipe couplings to passtherethrough, and said depending lip extending into thev space betweenthe pipe and said member.

39. In a pipe head for wells, a packing seat, a rubber packing ofannular configuration disposed inside said seat and having a centralpipeengaging portion formed hollow to yield radially as the pipe and itscouplings are passed therethrough, bolt means projecting from saidpackin g, and a member to which said packing is secured by said boltmeans, said packing including a depending pressure responsive lip forengagement with the pipe extending therethrough, andv an exterior solidportion held tightly against said seat by said bolt means.

EDWIN A. JOHNSON.

